ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Three leading cast members of the TV fantasy drama "Game of Thrones" are appealing to European leaders to ease restrictions on refugees trying to reach the continent.

In an interview with The Associated Press, British actress Lena Headey described Europe's treatment of people fleeing war in Syria and other countries as "utterly ridiculous" and accused populist politicians on the continent of deliberately misrepresenting vulnerable migrants as a financial burden and security threat.

Headey, who plays the homicidal villain Cersei Lannister, traveled to Greece in the wake of the globally popular Season 6 finale. She was joined by co-stars Maisie Williams and Liam Cunningham, visiting refugee camps in the crisis-hit country on a trip organized by the U.S.-based relief agency, the International Rescue Committee.